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GoPro Integration for BMW M Laptimer App

Thu Apr 14 23:00:00 CEST 2016 Press Release

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Mountain View, CA/Woodcliff Lake, NJ – April 14, 2016 – 2:00pm PDT/5:00pm EDT. . . The BMW Group Technology Office USA and GoPro announced today that beginning summer 2016 the BMW M Laptimer app, a favorite app integration among driving enthusiasts, will include the ability to control a GoPro camera on iOS devices, using BMW’s state-of-the-art iDrive controller and high-resolution screen. With this enhancement, when BMW drivers start and stop the BMW M Laptimer they simultaneously start and stop the recording of the connected GoPro camera. In addition to the video stored on the GoPro camera, a low-res version is saved on the phone so that it can be played back next to the map view on the BMW M Laptimer app.

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Two of BMW enthusiasts’ favorite app integrations team up to
offer an unparalleled way to capture and share their on-track experience

Mountain View, CA/Woodcliff Lake, NJ – April 14, 2016 – 2:00pm PDT/5:00pm EDT. . . The BMW Group Technology Office USA and GoPro
announced today that beginning summer 2016 the BMW M Laptimer app, a
favorite app integration among driving enthusiasts, will include the
ability to control a GoPro camera on iOS devices, using BMW’s
state-of-the-art iDrive controller and high-resolution screen. With
this enhancement, when BMW drivers start and stop the BMW M Laptimer
they simultaneously start and stop the recording of the connected
GoPro camera. In addition to the video stored on the GoPro camera, a
low-res version is saved on the phone so that it can be played back
next to the map view on the BMW M Laptimer app.

“The BMW M Laptimer and GoPro integrations have both proven to be
incredibly popular with driving enthusiasts. From the time that we
launched the first in-car integration for a GoPro camera, bringing
that integration together with the BMW M Laptimer seemed like the
natural way to really enhance the track driving experience,” said
Christian Schmid, senior development engineer at the BMW Group
Technology Office USA. “This allows us to provide BMW drivers the
ability to safely capture and share their track experience.”

Beginning in summer 2016, new downloads and updates of the BMW M
Laptimer will include the GoPro integration. When launching the M
Laptimer app in the iDrive system, a GoPro tab will appear in the
menu. Clicking on that tab will make specific GoPro functions
available on the BMW iDrive screen:

Name of the connected camera, to ensure the intended camera is
being controlled.

Live preview image, to adjust the angle of the controlled camera.
(when parked)

WiFi signal strength and battery charge level.

Access to the camera power button in order to preserve the
battery when not in use.

The BMW M Laptimer record button will prompt the GoPro camera to
start recording. The Stop button ends the recording of the BMW M
Laptimer and the GoPro camera simultaneously.

For playback within the BMW M Laptimer, users will see a new “GoPro”
menu entry. Clicking on that entry will enable the low-res version of
the video to be played on the phone below the map view. Playback
controls such as pause/play, scrubbing and playback time are displayed
above the video image.

“The GoPro and BMW collaboration set a new standard in the category
when it launched in 2014,” said Adam Silver, GoPro director of
strategic product partnerships. “Since then, BMW has continued to
innovate, demonstrating a passion for creating a cutting-edge user
experience to enable drivers to capture and share their driving experience.”

The BMW M Laptimer

Intended for off-road use only, the BMW M Laptimer App records data
from a BMW Apps –equipped vehicle’s on-board network and GPS receiver
to create comparative track sessions and provide essential performance
information. It generates track maps and captures essential driving
data including top speed, number of laps, best lap time and ambient
temperature. Information is then presented on the scorecard screen
when the vehicle is no longer in motion.

The BMW M Laptimer provides highly visual depictions of throttle,
speed, brake input, steering angle, engine RPM, fuel level, and
g-force. Users can easily zoom in and out, and rewind or fast forward
through track recordings. BMW M Laptimer will automatically calculate
laps and times for the user without the need for pre-installed track
map data. The BMW M Laptimer can be used as a training aid to become a
faster, safer driver.

The app can be used on virtually any closed circuit, including the
BMW Performance Center in Spartanburg, South Carolina and the BMW
Performance Center West in Thermal, CA.

A Comparison Mode gives users the ability to view individual or dual
runs in real-time. Users can select their own laps or compare against
a lap sent by another BMW driver. Users may also share track day
results with friends to compare data. Additionally, users can post
results through social media integration, including Facebook and Twitter.

GoPro Connectivity for BMW

This groundbreaking connectivity is designed specifically to reduce
driver distraction and enhance the capabilities for which “The
Ultimate Driving Machine®” and GoPro are famous. In addition to
framing the shot using BMW’s large central screen, users may quickly
choose between six pre-set camera modes: Leisure Drive Facing Out,
Night Driving, Sport Drive Facing Out, Drive Camera Facing In, Winding
Road Time-lapse, and Straight Road Time-lapse. The camera’s RECORD
function may be started and stopped by the driver at will, and vital
camera status indicators are displayed, including recording elapsed
time, battery life, and Wi-Fi signal strength. The user may also
toggle the camera’s SLEEP mode to prolong battery life between shots.

The user’s vehicle must be equipped with BMW Apps. Next, the user’s
Wi-Fi-equipped GoPro camera (HERO3 and later) communicates with the
GoPro App installed on the driver’s iPhone 4S or later, which must be
connected to the vehicle either through the iPhone USB cable or the
BMW Accessory snap-in adaptor for iPhone. The driver will access the
App through the BMW ConnectedDrive menu, which is displayed on the
large, trans-reflective central screen (up to 10.2 inches, depending
on model).

The BMW Group Technology Office USA designed the on-board operating
menu to streamline the camera’s operation and take full advantage of
the integrated environment. Menu choices appear to the left of the
screen, and the camera’s actual field of view is displayed in near
real-time while the vehicle is stationary.

BMW Group In America

BMW of North America, LLC has been present in the United States since
1975. Rolls-Royce Motor Cars NA, LLC began distributing vehicles in
2003. The BMW Group in the United States has grown to include
marketing, sales, and financial service organizations for the BMW
brand of motor vehicles, including motorcycles, the MINI brand, and
Rolls-Royce Motor Cars; Designworks, a strategic design consultancy
based in California; a technology office in Silicon Valley and various
other operations throughout the country. BMW Manufacturing Co., LLC in
South Carolina is part of BMW Group’s global manufacturing network and
is the exclusive manufacturing plant for all X5 and X3 Sports Activity
Vehicles and X6 and X4 Sports Activity Coupes. The BMW Group sales
organization is represented in the U.S. through networks of 340 BMW
passenger car and BMW Sports Activity Vehicle centers, 153 BMW
motorcycle retailers, 125 MINI passenger car dealers, and 36
Rolls-Royce Motor Car dealers. BMW (US) Holding Corp., the BMW
Group’s sales headquarters for North America, is located in Woodcliff
Lake, New Jersey.

Information about BMW products is available to consumers via the
Internet at: